Johanna & David’s Love Story
There’s a particular kind of wedding where you can feel, in every detail, how much thought went into it. Johanna and David’s day in Gullane, East Lothian was exactly that – thirty of their favourite people, an intimate church ceremony, and an afternoon built entirely around what mattered most to them.
An Intimate Ceremony at St Adrian’s Church, Gullane
Johanna and David were married at St Adrian’s Church in Gullane, a small, characterful church, tucked away in one of East Lothian’s loveliest coastal villages. With only thirty guests, there was an intimacy to the whole thing that’s genuinely hard to find at bigger weddings – you could feel it in the room. Johanna’s brother, a priest, jointly took the service alongside the local minister, which was a lovely, personal touch. And for their family who couldn’t make the journey in person, a live video stream meant they were still able to share in the moment from afar.
Johanna had three bridesmaids by her side, and was walked down the aisle by her son who gave her away, while David played Danny Boy on the piano himself. There was something so touching about that moment, and I could see everyone felt it too!
Confetti in the Churchyard
Straight out of the church doors, guests lined the path through the churchyard for the confetti tunnel. And what a shower it was! Big handfuls of paper circles and hearts in shades of blue, strawberry and coral, with Johanna and David dancing straight through the middle of it, laughing the whole way. Moments like this are exactly why I love what I do. Nobody’s posing, nobody’s thinking about the camera, everyone’s just completely immersed in the moment.
Piped Down to Gullane Beach
From the churchyard, the whole wedding party was piped down through the village to the beach, by a talented young family friend. Out of everything I photographed that day, this might be my favourite part: the procession winding through Gullane, pipes echoing in the streets, guests trailing along behind in their finery, all of them heading for the sand together. There’s a real sense of occasion to a moment like that, and it’s not something you can stage. It either happens or it doesn’t, and on this day, it absolutely did.
Champagne, Canapés and Bare Feet on Gullane Beach
Down on the sand, with the sun still out, champagne was cracked open on the beach and canapés were handed out. Johanna and her bridesmaids kicked off their shoes without a second thought, and ran barefoot along the shore and paddled in the sea. It was such a joyful and carefree moment, and just the sorts of photos I love to capture!
As the rest of the guests made their way on towards the reception, Johanna and David stayed back for a few quiet minutes, just the two of them, walking hand in hand along the sand, and dancing with nobody else around. I love being able to give a couple that little pocket of time. Those quiet, in-between moments, away from the rest of the day so often make for the loveliest photographs.
Why This Stretch of East Lothian Coastline
It’s easy to see why couples fall for this part of East Lothian. The coastline between Gullane and North Berwick is beautiful with wide sandy beaches, huge open skies, and a real sense of space. If you’re exploring locations beyond Gullane itself, Seacliff Beach a little further along the coast is a particular favourite of mine, with Tantallon Castle and Bass Rock sitting dramatically in the background. It’s one of those spots that barely needs any help from a photographer, the setting does most of the work.
Wedding Reception at the Marine Hotel, North Berwick
From the beach, everyone made their way to the Marine Hotel in North Berwick for a late lunch in the Lawn Restaurant. The piper met the couple again at the hotel entrance, playing them up the steps as they arrived – a lovely bookend to the earlier procession, and a real thread of occasion that ran right through the whole day.
One detail I loved: turquoise pieces of sea glass, each engraved with a guest’s name, marking their place at the table. Simple, personal, and the kind of thing a guest will still have on their windowsill years from now, remembering exactly where it came from.
A Day Built by the People Who Love Them
What struck me most while photographing this wedding, was how much of the day had been made by Johanna and David’s friend and family, rather than bought in. Bouquets from a friend’s garden. A friend piping. A brother officiating. Talented friends playing piano and singing during the signing of the register. Canapés made by the bride and a friend. None of it was hired, and all of it was heartfelt – and you could feel that in every part of the day.
If you’re drawn to a wedding that’s more personal and heartfelt than polished and traditional, I hope this gives you a little inspiration. It really doesn’t take a huge guest list to make a day feel this meaningful – it takes people who care, and a couple willing to build the day around what actually matters to them.
Listening First: How I Like to Work
Before the wedding, Johanna wrote to me with a simple brief:
“From a photographic point of view, I would love as many candid photographs as possible and some relaxed group shots. Having looked at your portfolio, I can see how beautifully you catch moments and scenes.”
That’s genuinely the heart of how I like to work. I’m not there to orchestrate a wedding, or to pull people away from their day for endless posed shots. I’m there to quietly observe – the piper on the steps, a bridesmaid kicking off her shoes without thinking, two people finding a quiet minute alone on the sand. Johanna and David didn’t want a photographer directing traffic all day. They wanted someone who’d blend in, catch what was real, and let the day unfold naturally.
That’s also why coverage looked a little different for this wedding than it might for others. Rather than a full day from morning prep to first dance, I photographed a focused three hours, from just before the ceremony through to the start of the lunch. It suited exactly what this couple wanted: coverage of the moments that mattered most to them, without needing a camera in the room for every single hour of the day. I love that flexibility. Every couple is different, and I’d always rather plan coverage around what actually matters to you than hand you a one-size-fits-all package.
What I keep coming back to, thinking about this wedding, is how much genuine joy there was in the unscripted parts of the day – the confetti, the walk to the beach, the quiet moment just the two of them on the shore… It’s exactly the kind of wedding I love photography, and I”d love to be part of many more like it.
Planning a wedding in Gullane, North Berwick, or elsewhere in East Lothian?
You can find out more about my work across East Lothian, including my favourite venues, on my East Lothian wedding photographer page →
I’d love to hear about your day, and talk through how coverage could work around exactly what matters most to you, whether that’s a full day or a few focused hours. Get in touch to check availability →
